GAMES
RANKINGS
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Basketball's Back: VYPE Austin Small School Boys Basketball Preview
Fredericksburg: The Battlin' Billieshad a 32-game win streak and aUIL 4A Region IV area round appearance during the 2019-2020 campaign and can march further in the 2020-2021 postseason with electric leaders likeco-UIL 28-4A Defensive MVPs Colby Brasher and Jayden Sanchez and first-team all-district player Dillon Rabon.
Austin LBJ Early College: The Jaguars won 19 games en route to a UIL 5A Region IV bi-district appearance last season and are expected to be a playoff contender again in UIL 4A during the 2020-2021 campaign with playmakers like first-team all-district athlete Jaikeam Maxwell and second-team all-district player Julian Smith.
Georgetown Gateway College Preparatory School: The Gators won 20 games and recorded a 2019-2020 UIL 3A Region IV bi-district appearance and have big plans for first-team all-district athlete Bradyn Cox and second-team all-district player Braeden Batton to continue the trend in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Salado: The Eagles soared to last season's 19 wins andUIL 4A Region IV bi-district berth and can produce more success during the 2020-2021 campaign with athletes like first-team all-district player Josh Goings and all-district honorable mention Peyton Miller.
Burnet: The Bulldogs are coming off a UIL 4A Region IV bi-district appearance and a 17-win season and want to top those marks with first-team all-district athletes Luke Kiser and Kam Ollison and all-district honorable mention Jaxson Denton during the 2020-2021 campaign.
Jarrell: The Cougars earned 16 wins and a UIL 3A Region IV bi-district berth and will need big performances from UIL 25-3A Sixth Man MVP Quinton Johnson, first-team all-district athlete Brennam Wilson and second-team all-district players Joseph Crathers and Joseph Shamburger to record a similar result in the higher UIL 4A classification.
Taylor: The Ducks advanced to the UIL 4A Region IV area round and won 21 games last winter, but have to replace a strong senior class to replicate that success in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Austin Achieve: The Polar Bears are ready to battle in their second UIL varsity season during the 2020-2021 campaign by leaning on second-team all-district athlete James Rivera and fellow contributors Jaheim Billison and Alfredo Macedo and learning from their 16-win inaugural 2019-2020 season in the state's largest high school league.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Manor New Technology: The Titans missed the UIL 3A postseason in the 2019-2020 season, but are trying to replicate their school's UIL 4A footballplayoff appearance this fall by leaning on second-team all-district athlete Justus Edwards and fellow contributor JaQuille Rosario.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
La Grange: The Leopards amazingly were a UIL 4A Region IV bi-district finalist with only seven wins in the 2019-2020 campaign, so they plan on leaning on first-team all-district athlete Caden Cooper to find more success in the year to come.
Lake Belton: The Broncos are expected to compete in their first varsity season because of Christopher Jarrett, Leonard King and Floyd Bristol.
UIL 3A Boys Basketball Team Breakdowns
Little River Academy: The Bumblebees won 30 games and advanced to the UIL 3A Region III quarterfinal during the 2019-2020 season and are expected to sting the competition again in the 2020-2021 campaign because of all-region athletes Jaylin McWilliams and Tanner Rambeau, first-team all-district players Jerry Cephus and Darion Franklin and second-team all-district honoree Chris Preddie.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Blanco: The Panthers recorded an impressive 2019-2020 run that included 29 wins and a UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal appearance and have big expectations for the 2020-2021 campaign with playmakers like all-region athlete andUIL 25-3A MVP Tristan Schlinke, first-team all-district players Caleb Meyer, Baylor Smith, Zack Wisdom and Gavin Young and second-team all-district honoree Mitchell Hebert.
Lago Vista: The Vikings won 18 games before recording a UIL 3A Region IV bi-district appearance in the 2019-2020 campaign and are expected to top those achievements with athletes likeUIL 25-3A Offensive MVP Marquise Pierce, first-team all-district player Lucas Lawless and second-team all-district honoree Mikey D'Ambrose.
Luling: The Eagles won 18 games and advanced to the UIL 3A Region IV bi-district round with playmakers likeUIL 27-3A Defensive MVP Stanzant Jackson, second-team all-district athlete Dario Munoz and all-district honorable mention Mark Montalbo.
Lorena: The Leopards made the most of their 12 victories during the 2019-2020 campaign because they finished as a UIL 4A Region III bi-district finalist and plan to build off that success with notable contributors likeUIL 18-4A Newcomer of the Year Graham Goolsby and second-team all-district athletes Vrail George and McCray Lewis.
Columbus: The Cardinals heated up late in the 2019-2020 season to earn 12 victories and advance to the UIL 3A Region IV bi-district round and know UIL 28-3A co-Defensive MVP Kaycon Wilson, first-team all-district athletes Kion Hurd and Jessie Upson and second-team all-district player Cole Edman will have big roles again in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Rogers: The Eagles won 13 games before finishing the 2019-2020 campaign at the UIL 3A Region III bi-district round and hope to top that in the 2020-2021 season with playmakers like first-team all-district athlete Ben Hutka and second-team all-district player Ty Sebek.
McGregor: The Bulldogs were a UIL 3A Region III bi-district finalist after 13 wins last season and have important athletes in first-team all-district playmaker Deondre Parker and second-team all-district contributor Dayton Threadgill to achieve more in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Brady: The Bulldogs earned a UIL 3A Region I bi-district berth and 14 wins during the 2019-2020 campaign and want to succeed more with second-team all-district athletes Bryce Davis and Parker Linnard leading the way in the 2020-2021 season.
Caldwell: The Hornets were a UIL 4A Region IV bi-district finalist with 17 wins during the 2019-2020 season and still have second-team all-district athlete Larry Davis in their classification drop.
UIL 2A Boys Basketball Team Breakdowns
Flatonia: The Bulldogs are motivated to top their UIL 2A Region IV area round finish from a year ago because they earned 27 wins during that run and have important returners in first-team all-district athletes Collin Bosl and Jonathan Netro, second-team all-district player Fidel Venegas and all-district honorable mentions Hagan Wagner, Holden Kloesel, Keyshaun Green, Luke Law and Juan Carlos Olivares.
Thorndale: The Bulldogs earned their 23rd win to advance to last season's UIL 2A Region IV area round and want to extend their very accomplished18-yearplayoff streak with leaders like first-team all-district athlete Logan Davis, all-district honorable mentions Chance Betak, Stryker Leschber and Branson McCoy and fellow contributor Dean Johnson.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Schulenburg: The Shorthorns stormed to the UIL 3A Region IV area round with 17 wins last season and like their 2020-2021 chances because of players like UIL 28-3A co-Defensive MVP Kenny King and second-team all-district athletes Brett Janecek and Alex Lozano and their new UIL 2A classification home.
Rosebud-Lott: The Cougars charged to 23 wins and a UIL 2A Region III quarterfinal appearance during the 2019-2020 season and have a boatload of talent in UIL 17-2A Defensive MVP John Reyna,UIL 17-2A Sixth Man MVP Jordan Landrum, first-team all-district athlete Steven Buhl, second-team all-district player Nathan Truesdale and all-district honorable mention Johnathan Adamez.
Marlin: The Bulldogs earned 22 victories and a UIL 2A Region III quarterfinal appearance in the 2019-2020 season and have big plans with UIL 18-2A Defensive MVP Tydae Mayes,UIL 18-2A Newcomer of the Year Keshawn Thomas andfirst-team all-district athlete Ty Harris throughout the 2020-2021 campaign.
Crawford: The Pirates made the most of their 15 wins a year ago because they marched to the UIL 2A Region III semifinal and are searching for more with returning playmakers like all-region athlete and UIL 17-2A co-MVP Cole Reid, first-team all-district players Tanner Merenda and Ty Williams, second-team all-district honoree Trey Dobie and all-district honorable mentionBreck Chambers.
San Saba: The Armadillos earned the UIL 2A Region IV championship because oftheir 19th victory of the 2019-2020 season and are trying to finish what they started with on-court talents like all-state athlete andUIL 27-2A MVP Logan Glover and first-team all-district player Risien Shahan.
Weimar: The Wildcats are a motivated group going into the 2020-2021 campaign because they lost last year's UIL 2A Region IV semifinal by a single point and still have leaders in all-state athlete and UIL 29-2A co-Offensive MVP Joey Ramirez and second-team all-district player Felix Sanchez to make more noise in the postseason.
Chilton: The Pirates finished their 19-win surge from a season ago at the UIL 2A Region III area round and are looking for more in the 2020-2021 campaign with notable returners inUIL 17-2A co-Offensive MVP Kevin Gaines, first-team all-district athletes Daylon Cromer and JB Davis and second-team all-district players McKeller Cook and Daylon Ford.
Goldthwaite: The Eagles were a UIL 2A Region II area round finalist after 13 wins a year ago, but have some rebuilding to do for the 2020-2021 season because they graduated their all-district players from that run.
UIL 1A Boys Basketball Team Breakdowns
Calvert: The Trojans won 25 games en route to the 2019-2020 UIL 1A Region IV quarterfinal and will be a force again in the 2020-2021 campaign because of all-state andUIL 26-1A co-MVP MJ Thomas, all-region and UIL 26-1A co-MVP Tre'Quinton Green,UIL 26-1A co-Offensive MVP Ja'Quarious Ford, first-team all-district athletes Erwin Jones, Antonio Porter and Billy Thompson and all-district honorable mention Gio Diaz.
Cherokee: The Indians have a lot going for them heading into the 2020-2021 campaign because they finished last season with 22 wins and a UIL 1A Region III quarterfinal berth and have a key cast of characters in all-region athlete andUIL 17-1A MVP Tristan Arkansas, UIL 17-1A Defensive MVP Wyatt Stotts, first-team all-district players Joey Bond andGabe Morris and second-team all-district honoree Isaac Graves.
Dime Box: The Longhorns stormed to 23 victories and a UIL 1A Region IV quarterfinal appearance last season and are excited for the 2020-2021 campaignbecause of the return ofUIL 30-1A Defensive MVP Masyn Spacek, first-team all-district athlete Blake Scott and second-team all-district playerDilyn Kieschnick.
Waelder: The Wildcats earned 22 victories and marched to the UIL 1A Region IV semifinal last season and can produce another playoff run in the 2020-2021 campaign if they develop some depth around all-state athlete andUIL 30-1A MVP Isaiah Jones-Miller.
Richland Springs: The Coyotes found their way to the 2019-2020 UIL 1A Region III quarterfinal with single digit victories and are expected to achieve more with talents likefirst-team all-district honorees Jayden Bryant and Landon Burkhart.
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Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Basketball's Back: VYPE Austin UIL Boys Basketball Preview
No. 1 Westlake: The Chaparrals have been an Austin area boys basketball front-runner the last couple of years and plan to continue that trend in the 2020-2021 campaign. They surged to 33 wins during the 2019-2020 season and can top theirUIL 6A Region IV Area Round finish from a year ago because of Kansas commitKJ Adams and other notable athletes inEain Mowat,Nehikhare Igiehon,Cade Mankle and Conor McManus.
No. 2 Killeen Ellison: The Eagles have a lot of potential going into the 2020-2021 campaign because they recorded a UIL 6A Region II final appearance and 35 wins during the 2019-2020 season and still feature Division I recruitJamyron Keller and fellow notable returnerTrendon Stewart.
No. 3 Pflugerville Hendrickson: The Hawks won 24 games and flew to the UIL 6A Region II area round during the 2019-2020 campaign, dropped a classification from UIL 6A to UIL 5A over the offseason, and recruitsJaden Williams and Ma'Shy Hill lead a squad that also includesKayden Crosby and Ke'Shawn Williams.
No. 4 Austin Bowie: The Bulldogs are ready to make a move during the 2020-2021 season because they're coming off a 25-win year and 6A Region IV Area Round appearance and have notable athletes inColeton Benson andCade Holzman.
No. 5 Manor: The Mustangs haveenjoyed incredible success the last two years, including 27 wins and a UIL 5A Region III semifinal appearance in the 2019-2020 campaign. It plans to continue its high level of play withTyrone Haywood,Augustine Arroyo, Blake Fisher,Carl Chester,Jayden Barrs and Breyonn Wooley.
No. 6 Cedar Park: The Timberwolves won 27 games en route to last year's UIL 5A Region III area round appearance and plan to continue their town's great basketball legacy with players likeJacob Swoboda,Josh Cameron andParker Forbes.
No. 7 Leander: The Lions marched to the UIL 6A Region II area round and won 19 games last season and have a strong 2020-2021 roster that includes recruitNoah Robledo and other playmakers in Brandon Puckett andChris Loofe.
Photo from Leander coach Clint Bradley.
No. 8 Liberty Hill: The Panthers were a UIL 4A power that produced 28 wins and a UIL 4A Region IV quarterfinal berth last season and will have an easy transition because ofKadin Knight,Walker Weems andHunter Clayton.
No. 9 Pflugerville Weiss: The Wolves won 21 games and competed in the UIL 5A Region III bi-district round during the 2019-2020 campaign and are locked and loaded heading to the 2020-2021 season with playmakers likeKaleb Lewis,Jarmaine Mason,Corey Penson, Tyson Whybrew andTory Simmons.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 10 Dripping Springs: The Tigers won 23 games and finished their 2019-2020 season at the UIL 5A Region IV area round and plan to win more in the 2020-2021 campaign because ofJayden Guevara andAidan Bailey.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Other UIL 6A Teams to Watch
Hutto: The Hippos enjoyed a breakout year during the 2019-2020 campaign that resulted in 33 wins and a UIL 5A Region III Quarterfinalappearance and need to lean onJailen Bedford,Kaden Smart,Jaylin Carroll,Joemori Francis, Davean Richardson andRoderick Soto toadd more success at the state's highest classification.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Round Rock Westwood: The Warriors impressed with 25 wins and a UIL 6A Region II semifinal trip during the 2019-2020 season and will lean on Zach Engels and Carson King to continue their success in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Austin Vandegrift: The Vipers will miss University of Texas basketball player Greg Brown after recording 33 wins and a UIL 6A Region II quarterfinal appearance last year, but can make more noise withDominic Chmura and Bryce Friday in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Temple: The Wildcats were a UIL 6A Region II bi-district finalist and won 23 games during the 2019-2020 season and will be a playoff contender again in the 2020-2021 campaign because ofLeon Hudson,Aundra Jackson and Joseph Stewart.
Lake Travis: The Cavaliers won 15 games in the 2019-2020 campaign and can return to the playoff mix during the 2020-2021 season because of returners Stephen Everett,Cash Clayton, Miguel Mantilla Pacchiano and Aaron Jacob.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Hays: The Rebels won 21 games and advanced to the 2019-2020 UIL 6A Region IV bi-district round and still haveDurand Hill, Connor Cox, Trent Pattee and Jackson Deutsch in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Harker Heights: The Knights finished the 2019-2020 campaign at the UIL 6A Region II bi-district round after 13 wins during the regular season and will contend for the postseason again because ofTerrance Carter, Camrin Forde,La'Princeton Dixon, Jalen Kaderka-Brown and Antwan Taylor.
Belton: The Tigers are a motivated group heading into the 2020-2021 campaign because they earned 22 wins in a non-playoff season last year and have important playmakers inTJ Johnson,Ben Jones, Luke Bramlett,Kayden Downs and Bryan Henry.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Round Rock Cedar Ridge: The Raiders won 18 games as a non-playoff participant in the 2019-2020 season and will inch towards the postseason with notable athletes in Jaden Finley, Ryan Brooks, Will Fievre and Marcel Bryant.
Round Rock: The Dragons missed the UIL 6A postseason with 17 wins during the 2019-2020 season, but can be a playoff contender in the 2020-2021 season because ofJae'lyn Brooks,Seth Ford, Reese Miller andBraden Lee.
San Marcos: The Rattlers won 15 games and fell short of the 2019-2020 UIL 6A postseason, but have playmakers in college recruitMalik Presley and another notable talent inKaden Gumbs to find more success in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Del Valle: The Cardinals won 12 games during the 2019-2020 season and expect to lean on Donovann Armstrong, Elijah Gonzales and Elijah Rogersto surpass that mark in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Cedar Park Vista Ridge: The Rangers have enough key assets inBraedyn Dawes,Emon Allen and Johnny Clark to find more success in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
McNeil: The Mavericks won 12 games during the 2019-2020 season and plan to improve in the 2020-2021 campaign because ofcontributors Chance McDonald, Kade Zeiner, Dalen Standifer and Chris Grimsley.
Other UIL 5A Teams to Watch
Georgetown: The Eagles won 22 games en route to a UIL 5A Region III area round appearance and plan to continue its upward trend withAaron Bizzell,Kade Locklin, Landry Woods, Joseph Waring andJace Knight.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Austin Anderson: The Trojans surged to 26 wins and the 2019-2020 UIL 6A Region IV Quarterfinal, drop a classification from UIL 6A to UIL 5A, and have key returners inJack Francis,Mike Wagner, Nick Harris, Benito Black and Jaden Austin.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Leander Glenn: The Grizzlies won 27 games en route to last year's UIL 5A Region III bi-district round and are motivated going in the 2020-2021 campaign because of Jaylen Thompson, Trae Leak and RJ Scarlett.
Austin Northeast Early College: The Raiders earned their 17th victory last season to advance to the UIL 5A Region IV area round and can set up more success in the 2020-2021 campaign because of the returns ofTristin Thomas,Marcus Martin andJivenson Sylvestre.
Travis Early College: The Rebels won 18 games and marched to the UIL 5A Region IV bi-district round during the 2019-2020 season and will need to develop depth around returning talentAndre Bills-Shelby to extend its postseason streak in the 2020-2021 season.
Cedar Creek: The Eaglesmade the most of their 15 wins during the 2019-2020 campaign because they advanced to the UIL 5A Region III bi-district round and can stay in the mix in the 2020-2021 season with the returns of Kaleb Bunker andTy Pruitt.
Pflugerville Connally: The Cougars won 14 games before finishing the 2019-2020 season at the UIL 5A Region III bi-district round and plan to lean onMcAnthony Everest,Jesse Lane and Bobby Thai during the 2020-2021 campaign.
Elgin: The Wildcats won 12 games last year and plan a big 2020-2021 season for Bo Gary, Gregory Aguirre, Joshua Sides, Savion Gatewood, Tay'Shon Vincent andPeter McFarlin.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Buda Johnson: The Jaguars plan to make an early splash in their first varsity season by developing early leaders Patrick Bryan, Faheem Baghezza and Quinton Hairston.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Marble Falls: The Mustangs won 12 games during the 2019-2020 campaign and plan more success throughout the 2020-2021 season with notable athletes like Kason O'Riley, Tate Deering,Blake Turner and Mason Neill.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Lockhart: The Lions can top last year's success by leaning on Giovani Roque, Tyler Stephenson, Miguel Rodriguez, Major New, Jah Gulley and Tay Andrews.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen Facebook/Instagram/Twitter) and VYPE (VYPE Texas Facebook, @VYPE_ATX Instagram and @VYPEATX Twitter) on social media.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.